Easy on the Soul: Folktales for Adults

By David Hench

Do you remember when story time was magical, enchanted, and filled with wonder and amazement? Many psychologists and spiritual teachers have commented on the great value of revisiting folktales in our later years. Within this little book of tales, you may find favoritesfavorite stories, favorite characters, and better yet, favorite parts of yourself. A throng of magical characters, moving themes, and meaningful archetypesthey just naturally draw one in. A folktale character getting their groove on can be an irresistible thing. So-called childrens literature does not play second fiddle to other literature. In fact, it holds the very same powers. It transports us to different times and places and to different times and places within our own psyche. Partake, dear reader. Each story is a journey within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524699413

David Hench

The author has written on many subjects and, of late, is making a study of the ancient tradition, in all cultures, of telling folktales. He is a believer that the child-self remains forever alive in the psyche, and that the fairy tale/folktale holds a near-mystical power of enchantment for that timeless self of both yesteryear and today. Story time going way back to early school days was very special and it remains so to this day. No man or woman outgrows them – the stories. Just the opposite is the case - their importance returns full force to the aging and reflective in need of a reminder of the important things, sometimes long forgotten.

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© 2017 David Hench. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/18/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-9942-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-9940-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-9941-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017910739

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

The Days of the Sprites

Mitzie the Faithful

The Queen, the Priestess, and the Maven

Janster Seagull

Clever, Clever Gretchen Most Fair

Clever Gretchen and the Three Riddles

Eleanor Twist

Allyn Who Learned Her Truth

The Tree of Contentment

Some day you will be old enough to read folktales again.

– C. S. Lewis

The stories herein are hybrid spiritual/psychological folktales. Perhaps exactly along the lines of the sentiment above.

Join the author for these delightful folktales, which include one re-telling of a classic and eight originals-first-time-ever-in-print. The wisdom of the ages is passed down through such seemingly simple stories … through their drama, themes and characters … even at times helping us reassess the values we live by. So here we go … off to times and places more charming and magical than the lands we so oft inhabit. Open sesame, then, on the land of enchantment …

Illustrated by:

Whitney Leigh Carpenter -- a painter/illustrator based in Louisville, Kentucky.

and by

Brian Dickson -- an artist and world resident currently located in The Villages, Florida.

By David Hench

THE DAYS OF THE SPRITES

Back in the time before the human race was so lost there was a breed of sprites, a kind of spirit or pixie, but wiser, that looked in on the human types and helped keep them on the right path.

What’s news in your world? they might pop in and whisper in the ear of a troubled person, already knowing themselves really, but asking as to offer wisdom upon the matter.

One aging person lamented, I can’t do what I used to do.

The sprite said, Maybe it’s time to focus elsewhere. And he popped back out … gone as quickly as he came.

Another aging one said, My knees are hurting and neither can I swing a golf club as in my glory days.

That wasn’t your glory, said the sprite. That was the glorification of diversion. Life itself beckons you now. Let’s not worry so much about how good you are at golf. Poof: gone.

Another unwise aging one was sitting watching television and a sprite popped in: What’s news in the world of Joe? it said to him.

I have not many more years to amass money and possessions as I’ve always done. Truth be told, materialism is my creed, but I can’t take it with me.

What can you take with you? answered the sprite.

I don’t know, said Joe the human.

What is immaterial that perhaps exists in other planes? asked the sprite … leaving Joe to think.

Across the globe a sprite popped in on another unsuspecting aging one. What’s life doing with you, friend? it asked.

What good am I now? I am a shell of my former self, he lamented.

"The former self was